Comments from those with experience with Desert Tech (DTA) chassis and conversions

[JMP]

I have been thinking of getting a DTA chassis (particularly the HTI). I'd be interested in hearing feedback from those that own or have used a DTA system. If so, which chassis and chambering? How did/do you like it? Is it functional, well-built, and accurate? Are there issues to be aware of?

I don't really expect the performance of a high-end custom rifle. But, I find the ability to shoot large cartridges in a fairly compact setup appealing (not needing a 6 foot case on wheels).

Please share your comments, positive or negative.

Thanks.

[brando]

I got one of the first ones in CA back in early 2009 and within a year the rest of my bolt guns became safe queens or were sold off. Out of the box it's very accurate and the trigger and ergonomics really surprised me. I started with a .338LM and over time added several more factory and custom conversions:

26" .338LM
18" .338LM
34" .338LM Improved
26" 6.5x47
18" 6.5x47
16" .308WIN
18" 12.7x48mm

Because of that versatility, it's like having multiple rifles in a single platform. Just get the best optic you can afford and go from there. You just have to log the offsets between conversions (which is repeatable) and there are many ways to do that. Most are less than a mil in either direction.

And because it's a bullpup, it's not going to be to everyone's liking. It's one of those things that's really a personal preference with no rhyme or reason to it. If you're even slightly concerned about that, do what you can to get behind one and see for yourself.

[JMP]

34" .338LM Improved
18" 12.7x48mm

As these two chamberings do not seem to be in the factory offerings, can I assume that you had these machined? If so, how involved is the process?

[brando]

There are a few custom shops and barrel makers that are doing complete SRS barrels, but in my case I had a local gunsmith do the work. Basically, all you need is a barrel extension mated to a good barrel with the proper diameter for the SRS profile (1.3" straight blank is the minimum, I think) and obviously a bolt face to support the cartridge. In my case, both of those cartridges use the .338 bolt. To get the 12.7x48mm to feed though I had to modify one of my mags rather crudely.

That does make it pretty easy to get exactly what you want. A lot of folks get really specific with things like "I want a 24.5" Bartlein 5R cut with spiral flutes", which is where you'd just want to go the 3rd party route. That said, the Lothar-Walther barrels from DTA are excellent and if they have a barrel to your spec, it's best to go that route. Otherwise call a custom shop like Short Action Customs or a barrel maker like Benchmark.

[JMP]

Brando, that's good information. I'd certainly start with a factory kit, but it seems like it's not unreasonable to later get a custom barrel chambered to spec later. I am exploring this route for a "budget" .375CT (oxymoron, I know). The compact design and flexibility for other large chamberings is appealing. There's quite a wide variety of materials and compositions of .375CT bullet makers that I really have no clue on what specifications I'd like until I get more experience with the cartridge. It'll take quite some experimentation given the capability of the cartridge. I am not looking to set any records, just dabble with a capable rifle.

[brando]

I've been shooting .408/.375CT since 2007 - it's not something you just jump into but an excellent gateway cartridge is .338LM. It's good to a mile easy, but even then you should be pretty versed in making your own loads to get the most performance and not spend too much money. A slightly more economical choice is the .338NM but some folks stay inside of 1200m with these cartridges, in which case an even more economical choice is .300WM.

[JMP]

I agree; I love the .338LM, but I am looking for a bit more juice.

[brando]

.375CT will get you further with less elevation, but it requires a bigger rifle. Nowadays there are better bullets available, so it's a great cartridge - easily king of the ELR hill. I can get my 26" .338LM to 1800m accurately, but it's extremely difficult and beyond that is increasingly a luck game. Down here in NZ I often compete in ELR matches that go from 1000-2000m and have done really well until we pass the mile mark and then the guys with the 32" barrels just clean up. To gain an advantage over them I'm now using a 34" 1:10-9 barrel with an improved chamber, so I'm now going from 300gr bullets at 2700fps to 3100fps - that keeps me supersonic to nearly 2km, bridging the gap between base .338LM and .375CT. The only downside is that it's a wildcat and there is no firmly agreed upon spec. So I had to decide on a reamer which was used for the barrel and later the same reamer was used for the dies. I have to fireform all of the cases, which is more throat wear, consumables (I use out of spec 285s) and just extra time. But overall it means more slow burning powder (N570) and extra velocity over a standard .338LM.

It obviously would be smarter to shoot .375CT in this case, but match rules are restricted to 3250fps and .338 bullets. Besides, it's rough enough lugging a .338LM SRS up and down mountains with ammo, supplies and support gear.

[hj_S14]

Would love to hear more about DTA system as well. I have been looking at it for a few months and really want to get one..

[brando]

What do you want to know?

[JMP]

Brando, what bullet are you using for your furthest shots?

That's one thing I like about the .338LM, with it's capability, I shoot softballs (250s @ 2,550) when I don't need the full power and it saves the brass, the barrel, and has a gentle recoil. Or, I shoot 300gr @ 2,725. A lot of people shy away from the .338LM because of the perceived price. It's expensive to set up, but once you get it down, it isn't bad. Larger cartridges help me shoot better because I tend to shoot less rounds but make more quality shots.

[Mute]

It's a fine platform and if you want quick caliber change capability, it is the easiest and quickest. I liked the platform well enough. For me, the primary advantage was the compactness and overall balance. Only negatives for me (and they're nitpicks really) was trigger, while the cleanest and best I've ever used on any bullpup design, still wasn't as crisp and clean as the best triggers I've had in more traditional bolt guns. Also, I couldn't quite get accustomed to the overall difference in feel from a traditional bolt gun. Keep in mind these are my own personal preferences and may not affect you.

My advice is to try to get some trigger time behind one if you can.

[brando]

I shot 250s almost exclusively for many years as I was able to get them to 3000fps and to a mile with little effort. Beyond that though they start to show their lack of momentum, especially with wind. The part of NZ I moved to is extremely windy year round, so unlike SoCal BLM, I'm shooting into 25mph winds quite often. That's when I started switching to 300s. However, 300s seem to be a bit picky about twist rates and I have seen mixed results with 1:10 barrels but slightly faster has been more consistent (1:9 or 1:9.4 even). The 250s, in contrast, are much more forgiving and I've never seen them shoot poorly. The 285s are really catching on now and I think they are a more optimum mass for .338LM, but I have lots of issues with Hornady's wide tolerances. On top of that, I was never able to get them to shoot well in my 26" barrel. It's my guess that 300s are right at the mass limit for .338LM, though ideal for .338LM Improved. In my .408CT days I shot a lot of CNC solids, which have their own headaches, but Cutting Edge has been putting out some high performance copper solids that I'd like to give a try. They traditionally carry the distance better with lower mass, but can be very picky about the condition of the bore. I often had to clean my rifle every 50 rounds or so, not "when it gets really dirty." They also shoot like crap if you've already been shooting jacketed bullets. So yeah, very picky suckers.

[JMP]

Have you tried the 275gr Rocky Mountain for .338LM? Expensive buggers, but very high tolerances.

http://rmbullets.com/page6.html

[postal]

I dry fired one a few times to check out the trigger.

I was surprised how smooth it was considering it's a bullpup with a linkage of some sort.. It's not a jewell, but is high quality and usable for accuracy.

I'd love to get a DTA. The cost and wait are what holds me back right now.

My only real concern, is with a bullpup design, during rapid fire stages (10 shots in 1 minute) I might give myself a black eye cycling the bolt.....